My updated Instructable for a DIY Halogen Light
01-30-09, 06:48 PM
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My updated Instructable for a DIY Halogen Light
Hi guys,
just wanted to share my updated DIY light. I started out using left over R/C racing pack batteries but I think they were pretty dead and so I left the project for a while. Then I started commuting again- 14miles. The route is mostly country roads and I felt I would much more comfortable with more light.
So I got two new 7.2v 2000mah batteries. I changed the connectors on them to banana-esque terminals so that they could be linked series for 14.4V. I found a water bottle that would hold both batteries but I still need to make a hole for the battery wires to protrude. I've also still only got a flood pattern bulb which is a nuisance- will be changing that shortly to a narrow beam (spot or something).
This thing is bright though! Check out my shoddy phone pictures on the Instructables website for an idea----->
https://www.instructables.com/id/Home...ight/?ALLSTEPS
just wanted to share my updated DIY light. I started out using left over R/C racing pack batteries but I think they were pretty dead and so I left the project for a while. Then I started commuting again- 14miles. The route is mostly country roads and I felt I would much more comfortable with more light.
So I got two new 7.2v 2000mah batteries. I changed the connectors on them to banana-esque terminals so that they could be linked series for 14.4V. I found a water bottle that would hold both batteries but I still need to make a hole for the battery wires to protrude. I've also still only got a flood pattern bulb which is a nuisance- will be changing that shortly to a narrow beam (spot or something).
This thing is bright though! Check out my shoddy phone pictures on the Instructables website for an idea----->
https://www.instructables.com/id/Home...ight/?ALLSTEPS
01-31-09, 09:35 PM
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Have you thought about adding an NTC thermistor inside the light housing for a simple soft-start to protect the bulbs?
02-01-09, 05:12 AM
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No I haven't actually,
I was thinking about that but I was unsure of how to get the soft start. So its a NTC Thermistor? Soldered in series with the circuit? I have a few electronics stores around so I could probably get the component
Sam
I was thinking about that but I was unsure of how to get the soft start. So its a NTC Thermistor? Soldered in series with the circuit? I have a few electronics stores around so I could probably get the component
Sam
02-01-09, 09:00 AM
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The light looks good. I love DIY stuff. One issue caught my eye though. I wouldn't use phone connectors for power because positive/negative can briefly short together when inserting/removing them. Their current rating may also be inadequate. I'd use barrel connectors (DC power connectors), for example:
Plug
Jack
I might have to use your PVC pipe approach for a DIY rear light I'm working on. Thanks for sharing.
Plug
Jack
I might have to use your PVC pipe approach for a DIY rear light I'm working on. Thanks for sharing.
02-02-09, 10:01 PM
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